Monday, November 27, 2006

Friday afternoon I was just coming out of a store in Kiryat Arba, when, getting into the car, I received one of the scariest phone calls I can recall. On the other end was Gerri. Gerri's husband Shlomo and I have been friends for about 30 years, of which he and Gerri have spent the last 20 years or so in Kiryat Arba. I was honored to be the 'sandak' at two of their five sons' Brit Milah, that is to be holding them during the ceremony of their circumcision. One of those two boys is studying in yeshiva. The other, Avi, is serving in the army.

Gerri: "David, Avi was injured down in Gaza. He was in an army vehicle which was blown up. They say he's ok. I spoke to him. Shlomo and I are going to the hospital in Beer Sheva to be with him for Shabbat."

I took Avi's phone number from her and called him. I too wanted to hear his voice. When I actually got a laugh out of him I knew he was OK. He was, according to his mother, full of 'resisim,' which, in English means shrapnel, from the explosion, but otherwise he seemed to be doing fine.

Yesterday Avi was released from the hospital and I went to visit him. Actually I expected to find him sleeping in bed and was a bit surprised to find him sitting in the living room, surrounded by two of his brothers and his parents. The first thing he did was to get undressed, showing me the dozens of little holes that had punctured his young body. The wounds on his legs and arms didn't seem so bad, but when he picked up his shirt to show me his chest – WoW! I could only think that it was a miracle that we is still sitting here with us.

The fashion show over, we started with questions and answers. His unit, serving in Gaza, had set up an outpost in one of the more problematic terrorist neighborhoods. He was driving something similar to a tank, in back of three other vehicles, with a few more in back of him. His vehicle was targeted for the attack being that it potentially carried the most soldiers inside its metal stomach. A huge bomb, perhaps holding as much as 100 kilograms of explosives, detonated alongside the tank-like vehicle, tearing a hole in its side and sending thousands of tiny slivers of metal flying through the air.

Avi, realizing immediately that he had been injured, did a quick self-check to examine the damage. Then, somehow, he managed to turn his tank around and drive some 20 minutes back to his base, with much of his body bleeding like a sieve. Much of his uniform had been burned off in the explosion, and when he reached his destination and stumbled out of the driver's seat, one of his commanders, seeing him, reeled, 'what happened to you?'

Thank G-d, Avi's injuries were not terribly serious. The puncture wounds weren't very deep and none of his vital organs were hit. About as big a miracle as can be imagined. Now Avi has a few weeks off to recuperate, and then he'll report back to active duty. Whether or not he'll be able to continue in his unit will only be determined after he returns, but he didn't show any signs of wanting to run away and hide. To the contrary, he was in high spirits, despite the constant pain caused by his injuries. Avi's father explained to me: 'you know what it feels like when you get stuck by a thorn, and you can't get it out, and it hurts? That's what each one of the puncture wounds feels like.' I asked if anyone had counted how many little pieces of metal had punctured Avi's body, but the answer was negative. I guess, who would want to count them? But the whole time I was there, Avi didn't stop smiling, and I didn't hear any complaints. A real hero.

Yet, despite the heroism of Avi and many others like him, sometimes I have to pinch myself to determine whether or not I'm really awake, or in the midst of some kind of nightmare. This morning Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, speaking at the grave of David Ben Gurion, again offered the terrorists, enemies of the state, whose aims start with the destruction of Israel and end with the Islamization of the world, release of murderers from Israeli jails, establishment of a terrorist state, expulsion of tens and hundreds of thousands of Jews from their homes and abandonment of our homeland. All of this if only they would agree to a 'real peace.'

O.K. These people are brain dead. They have nothing left upstairs. They have learned nothing from the last 100 years of history, nothing from the over 2,000 people killed since Oslo, nothing from the thousands of Kasam rockets that have been launched since the abandonment of Gush Katif, and nothing from the Hizballah-Syrian-Iranian axis which launched war on Israel this past summer. I have no hopes or illusions about these people. I only pray that G-d will keep them from doing any more real damage, that, one way or another, their plans to assist in erasing Israel from the map will be thwarted.

But what about our own? Last week the rightwing Israeli weekly newspaper Makor Rishon printed an article written by Erez Tadmor, which deals with several new 'peace plans' being suggested by none other than people like former Yesha council secretary general Adi Mintz, MK Yisrael Katz, and most surprisingly, former Hebron resident Yechiel Leiter. Leiter, today a resident of Eli in the Shomron, once a prominent Hebron leader, was also a leader of the Yesha council for many years, an advisor to Limor Livnat and later to Bibi Netanyahu. His proposal, as presented in the Makor Rishon article calls for Israel to 'transfer' 5,000 Israelis in eleven communities, due to their 'problematic' locations, while declaring sovereignty over 42 percent of Judea and Samaria. That means, leaving 58% to our neighbors. He doesn’t rule out 'one-sided' Israeli withdrawal: leaving heavily populated Arab land to the Arabs, while declaring Israeli sovereignty over the other land areas.

Why: 'The right has, for too long, only said no – what not to do. Now the time has come for us to say 'yes' – what can, and should be done.' Leiter calls this plan 'hitgabshut,' which might be translated 'the integration plan.'

Reading this article, I wasn't overly surprised by Katz or Mintz. The Yesha council has not been known, in the last few years at least, to be bastion of rightwing thought or action. However, seeing a man of Leiter's credentials offering Eretz Yisrael on a silver platter to our enemies is a matter of concern. But my greatest concern is this: Leiter has awarded legitimacy to all of those, be they Israeli, American or Arab, who proclaim that the solution to the Middle East conflict is land for peace. Eretz Yisrael for … something. We must sacrifice our land (where is Hebron on your map, Mr. Leiter? Are up willing to displace your family from its home in Eli too?) for… what? For promises? For a piece of paper? For wants and wishes?

Leiter, with this proposal, is walking in the footsteps of his old friend, Ariel Sharon, destroying what's left of the right, integrating the right into the left, letting the genie out of the bottle, and announcing to the whole world: YES, EVEN THOSE OF US LIVING IN JUDEA AND SAMARIA, THOSE OF US WHO SPENT DECADES BUILDING OUR LAND, THOSE OF US WHO BELIEVE THAT G-D GAVE US THIS LAND, OUR LAND, ERETZ YISRAEL, WE TOO ARE WILLING TO UPROOT OURSELVES, ABANDONING OUR HOMES AND COMMUNITIES, SACRIFICING THEM TO MOLECH.

From now on, the Israeli left, fighting to destroy the Israeli presence in Judea and Samaria will have a new friend: Yechiel Leiter. They will be able to say: 'Look, even one of your own admits defeat. He says eleven communities, we say fifty communities. He says 5,000 and we say 100,000 – this can all be put on the negotiating table. But the principal is accepted by us all – the Land of Israel, is negotiable. It can legitimately be dealt away if the deal is right, like a discarded card in a poker game.

When reading such awful ideas, as presented by 'one of our own' I ask myself, why should young men, like Avi, and others, put their lives on the line. For what? Only to be told, after battling for their land and their people, that it was for naught, that we are 'giving it back?!'

All I can say is, thank G-d for the thousands and thousands of Avis who, with faith and strength, are willing to give their lives for their land, for their people, for their country. Their very service is the antithesis of Leiter's 'integration plan' – they are saying 'yes' – yes to our land, yes to our people, yes to G-d. They proclaim, with others of us – 'peace for land.' If and when our neighbors will stop warring against us, allowing us to live peacefully and quietly in our land, we will let them live peacefully too. As long as we are forced to fight for our land, they too will not know peace and comfort in OUR land. We will agree to give them peace when they stop trying to take away our land. Peace for Land.

I wait breathlessly for the day when Avi and his friends will take off their uniforms and participate in actively leading the State of Israel - away from the directions offered by Leiter and his friends, and in the direction that G-d had in mind when he promised us, and gave us our holy land, our Eretz Yisrael.

The holidays are over, the rain and cold are starting to move in. Hebron tours continue, but that's nothing new. So, what time of the year is it?

According to the Hebrew calendar, tomorrow, the ninth day of Heshvan, is a momentous day in the history of Hebron.

Hebron has known many famous residents. Starting with the Patriarchs and Matriarchs, through the days of King David and the Maccabees and Bar Cochva, Hebron's earth has been covered with many prestigious footsteps. Even today, we are honored by the visits of famous Torah scholars and Rabbis, illustrious guests and entertainers. And perhaps above all, hundreds of thousands of 'amcha beit Yisrael,' simply the people of Israel.

However, the anniversary of one of the most esteemed visitors who ever came to Hebron and visited Ma'arat HaMachpela, the tomb of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs, was exactly 840 years ago tomorrow. He writes, "On the first day of Shabbat (Sunday) the ninth day of the month (of Heshvan) I left Jerusalem for Hebron to kiss the tombs of our Patriarchs at the Ma'ara. And on that same day I stood at the Ma'ara and worshiped, praise to the L-rd, for all. And these two days, the sixth (having arrived in Jerusalem and visited the Kotel – the Western Wall) and the 9th (having arrived in Hebron and prayed at Ma'arat HaMachpela) of Heshvan, I pledged would be as a festival of prayer and joy, with food and drink. G-d should assist me with everything and to keep my pledge, Amen."

These words were written by none other than Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon, better known as the Rambam, or Maimonides, one of the greatest Jewish Torah scholars and thinkers to ever live. There are few people whose teachings have had such a significant influence on the lives of multitudes of Jews throughout the ages as the Rambam. >From his words, it is clear that this visit to Hebron was one of the highlights of his life. One can only imagine this righteous person, standing by the tomb of the first Jew, Avraham Avinu, our father Abraham, beseeching G-d to bring the final redemption, pleading for the ingathering of the exiled, and the rebuilding of Eretz Yisrael and Jerusalem. So it was, in 1166, And it is something of a day of quiet celebration still, in Hebron.

I guess you could say the Rambam was lucky. He had the privilege to be in Hebron (before Ma'arat HaMachpela was declared off-limits in 1267) and to pray at the 2nd holiest site in the world, second only to TempleMount, which he had visited only a few days earlier. And thank G-d, hundreds of thousands of others make their way to Hebron today, many for the same reasons that Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon came, eight hundred and forty years ago. To pray at the Tomb of the Patriarchs, to identify with their roots, to experience such an experience that can only be experienced in Hebron.

When people ask me why we live here, why reside in Hebron, a city seemingly fraught with dangers, surrounded by adversity, the answer is simple. If we didn't live in Hebron, no one today would be able to do what the Rambam did eight centuries ago. The Maara was off-limits to us for 700 years – from 1267 until our return in 1967. There is no doubt, as our 'neighbors' tell us, that should they control this sacred site, (G-d forbid), it would be totally inaccessible to all non-Moslems. We have to hold tight to our heritage to prevent it from being 'stolen' by enemies, some of who desire to wipe us out physically and others, spiritually.

Many, Jews and gentiles, even those who don't make it for a visit in Hebron, find strength and encouragement in the very fact that Jews have returned home – to our home in Eretz Yisrael, to Jerusalem, to Hebron. The fact that Jews can send prayers directly to the Cave of Machpela, that they can see pictures and movies of our holy sites, the fact that Jews are living on their land, is, in and of itself, a source of pride and of spiritual energy.

It is important to know that those of us living here are, do so, not because we are coerced to do so, rather, because we want to be here, to live in the shadows of our ancestors, to walk in footsteps of our Forefathers, to bring a Jewish city, left in ruins, back to life.

One of the people who has had the privilege to not only live here in Hebron, but to bring Hebron into the lives of thousands, is my friend Simcha Hochbaum. Simcha and his wife Lea made aliyah, that is, they came to live in Israel, about eleven years ago from the Lower East Side in Manhattan, New York. Simcha was 'shul rebbi' – a student of R' Shlomo Carlebach, of blessed memory, and a Rabbi in his own right.

Simcha and Lea didn't leave New York for Tel Aviv or even Jerusalem. They came straight to Hebron. There aren't too many people who have done that. Today, with their beautiful family, they are one the pillars upon which Hebron rests.

Simcha has two jobs. Every night be drives from Hebron to Beit Shemesh to teach at the distinguished Yeshiva founded and headed by Rabbi Jay Marcus, Reishit Yerushalayim. Simcha is one of the most popular teachers at this Torah institute, and invests much time and energy with his young students, many of whom remain close to him for years following conclusion of their studies at the Yeshiva.

However, during the day Simcha takes off his Rabbi hat, and puts on a Hebron cap. He is known as Mr. Hebron – the person who introduces hundreds and thousands to Hebron's sites and sounds. As Hebron's director of tourism, Simcha leads groups from Jerusalem to the ancient walls in Tel Rumeida, to the Beit Hadassah museum, to the Avraham Avinu synagogue, (which is about 50 meters from his own home), and finally to Ma'arat HaMachpela.

Simcha's tours aren't just tours – they are an event – a spiritual event second to none. That fact that many people 'come back for more,' returning year after year to again experience another 'Simcha tour' speaks for itself.

Next week, Simcha Hochbaum will the recipient of the Rabbinic Leadership Award at the Hebron Fund/Jewish Community of Hebron annual banquet in New York. He is well deserving of this honor. Because even when he isn't wearing his 'Rabbi Hat' he is doing what he does best – educating. Teaching Jews and gentiles about one of the holiest places on the globe.

Simcha would be honored to have you join him, honoring Hebron, honoring others who too have dedicated themselves to helping Am Yisrael get back on its feet in Eretz Yisrael, in Hebron, after 2,000 years of 'being away from home.'

I too will be in New York, together with my friends and colleagues, Noam Arnon and Rabbi Hillel Horowitz. And of course, Yossi Baumol, executive director of the Hebron Fund will be there to greet you also.

For those of you who have been in Hebron, this is a chance to again participate in keeping Hebron's thriving Jewish community strong, showing not only us, but people around the world how important Hebron is to you.

For those of you who have never been in Hebron, well, I guess I could say Hebron is coming to you. We'd love to meet you and let you meet us.

You can still make reservations easily at: www.hebronfund.com or call 1-718-677-6886. If you don't live in the NY metropolitan area you can still show that you care: Dinner Journal Blessings can be sent in via the Hebronfund website or the above-listed phone number. The journal is closing tomorrow so don't wait too long. Send in your blessings, thanks and best wishes to Simcha Hochbaum and the entire Hebron Jewish community. Show that you too care.

Please pray for the baby: Yair Nisi ben Roni Bat-tzion who was critically injured in an auto accident

November 24, 2006

Shabbat is starting in just over an hour, but there are some things that you feel like you have to write, even if time is short. I was busy earlier with a group from Lakewood, New Jersey, and only now can sit for a few minutes. I hope I manage to express my thoughts lucidly.

It was just a week ago that we hosted, here in Hebron, somewhere in the vicinity of 30,000 guests. No, they didn't all eat at my home in Beit Hadassah. We split them up amongst the families in Hebron and Kiryat Arba. : ) – Well, almost. We had something over 20 at our Shabbat table. That was considered small. Others had between 50 to 100 guests.

Some ate in tents set up all over, receiving Shabbat meals preordered from Hebron's hospitality center. Friday, during the day and all night, as well as all day Saturday, was amazing. So many Jews walking the streets, visiting the sites, just being here, in Hebron and Kiryat Arba, was really an event to be experienced. It is very difficult to express in words.

The preparations for such a weekend are long and consuming. People worked day and night for weeks to try and insure that everyone arriving would have a place to sleep and food to eat. And even those who didn't make reservations wouldn't be left out. (We had two fellows from Ashdod who 'showed up at the last minute' looking for somewhere to eat and sleep. We gave them a place on our floor and at the table. Many others did the same, welcoming 'unexpected' guests.)

People from all over the world come into Hebron particularly for this Shabbat. From the United States, from Europe, you name it and they are here. Kids, adults, everyone.

Shabbat Hebron, every year when we read in the Torah about Abraham's purchase of the Tomb of the Patriarchs, the Caves of Machpela, is always special. But this year was extraordinary. At least as far as I was concerned.

Last Friday morning our apartment beepers started buzzing. Sometimes they inform us of an engagement and at other times of a rescheduled community event, or even of a security problem. However, last Friday morning the buzzing beeper had other news for us: "Mazal Tov to Itzik and OriyaPass on the birth of a new little baby boy."

Itzik and Oriya have two little girls. But they should have three, for Oriya gave birth to three girls. The first of those, their oldest daughter, was named Shalhevet, and over five years ago she was shot and killed by an Arab terrorist from the Abu Sneneh hills, overlooking the Avraham Avinu neighborhood. Shalhevet was in her stroller, with her parents at her side when the killer started shooting. Itzik was hit in the legs; the bullet went through Shalhevet's head, killing her instantly.

What does a family do following such a tragedy, their first-born plucked from them, at only 10 months of age? Itzik and Oriya are strong people, filled with faith and love of their land, their people and their G-d. It certainly wasn't easy, but with support from family and friends, and people all over the world, they were able to overcome their sorrow and mourning. Today they live only meters from the very spot where Shalhevet was shot and killed, with their two other daughters playing outside in the playground adjacent to where their oldest sister was murdered.

And after three girls, OriyaPass gave birth last Friday to their first son.

Early this morning, at the 'Kollel' (Torah Study Hall) opened in Shalhevet's memory in that same Avraham Avinu neighborhood, family and friends, from Hebron and all over Israel, celebrated the new baby's 'Brit Milah' – ritual circumcision. During the ceremony the baby was named, David Tzuri; David, in honor of Itzik's father, David Pass. Tzur, in Hebrew, means a hard stone, and connotates strength, and is sometimes a synonym for G-d (as is suggested in the Israeli Declaration of Independence). King David, writing in Psalm 144 says "'Baruch Tzuri,' praised be my rock (my strength – my G-d), who teaches my fingers battle and my hands war." Of course, King David started ruling here in Hebron for over 7 years before moving up to Jerusalem. So the name, David Tzuri has much meaning, for the family, privately and symbolically, relating to all of us, teaching us all.

Following the loss of a child, so tragically, the Pass family didn't give up, they didn't run away. They battled, for the right to continue to live, in Hebron, in Eretz Yisrael, to continue to have children, who too can play in the city of the Patriarchs, and worship at Ma'arat HaMachpela. At the present these rights entail battle and war, privately and publicly, by each and every individual, and by the State. Sometimes these legitimate rights, to live freely and safely in our homeland are forgotten by some, but others, like Itzik and OriyaPass, won't let them be forgotten. They are raising children, who in their very being are warriors; the fact that they live here in Hebron, or anywhere in the Land of Israel makes them so, whether they desire it or not. These little warriors are the future of our people in our land – and little David Tzuri, together with his two sisters and the others that are yet to be born, are the best memorial their oldest sister, Shalhevet, could ever have.

To the extended Pass-Zarbiv family, Mazal tov – best wishes for many other happy occasions. From all of us in Hebron.

We have been informed that the Swedish foreign ministry has appealed to the government of Israel concerning an attack on Swedish citizen Tove Johansson, in Hebron, on Saturday afternoon, 18 November 2006. According to press reports, Ms. Johansson is a member of the extremist Palestinian organization International Solidarity Movement (ISM) and was in Hebron as part of a protest against the Israeli presence in the city.

We would like to clarify several points concerning this incident:

1. The Jewish community of Hebron rejects any and all unnecessary violence of all kinds, by anyone, be they Arab or Jewish. This is community policy, and is enforced to the best of our ability.

2. ISM has had a presence in Hebron for over a year, and other foreign organizations, including TIPH, CPT, and others have had a presence in Hebron for a number of years. Very rarely, if at all, have there been any violent incidents between Hebron's Jewish residents and members of ISM. Community residents do their best to ignore them. At most, there are verbal exchanges between the two sides. We are unfamiliar with complaints issued by ISM activists against Hebron's Jewish residents.

3. In accordance with the above paragraph, and keeping in mind the fact that over 30,000 Jews visited Hebron on 18 Nov 2006, celebrating the purchase of the Tomb of the Patriarchs for the Jewish people by Abraham some 3,700 years ago, it is clear that the perpetrator(s) of the attack were not residents of Hebron's Jewish community.

a. Hebron residents do not, and have not, physically attacked ISM members in Hebron.

b. Hebron's residents are known by security forces in the city, and anyone participating in such an attack would have been easily identified and apprehended. However, the police have yet to identify or arrest anyone who participated in the attack.

c. According to press accounts, one of the perpetrators was quoted as having said, "I have a flight to France tonight."

d. The fact that an overwhelming majority of the people in Hebron on Saturday, 18 Nov 2006 were not Hebron residents, along with the above-mentioned facts, is clearly proof that no members of Hebron's Jewish community participated in the attack against Ms. Johansson.

4. According to press accounts, police and other security forces requested, prior to the attack, that Ms. Johansson and other protesters vacate the area, due to the sensitivity of their presence. It must be remembered that strict Sabbath observance forbids use of cameras and other such equipment. Photographing people who object to use of cameras on the Sabbath is extremely sensitive and many people object to being photographed on the Sabbath. Ms. Johansson and others were requested by Israeli security forces and others to refrain from photographing Sabbath observers, however, they refused this request. This, of course, does not justify physical attack, however, clearly, had the protestors acceded to this request, most likely the attack would have been avoided.

5. According to various internet accounts, the attackers yelled, "we killed Jesus and we will kill you too." According to eye-witnesses at the scene, this accusation is false. No such phrase was uttered.

6. In addition, according to some written accounts, Ms. Johansson did not receive proper first-aid care from medics that arrived at the scene. This is also a blatant lie. Medics from the Hebron community arrived in a community ambulance, determined the cause of the injury, and then treated Ms. Johansson just as any other injured person is cared for. The Hebron Jewish community ambulance, together with medic and driver, drove Ms. Johansson to Hadassah hospital in Jerusalem, according her full treatment.

7. Finally, the presence of ultra extremist anti-Israel – anti-Jewish organizations such as ISM and other such groups in Hebron is, as can be understood, extremely unpopular amongst Hebron residents and community supporters. Their presence is clearly provocative, with the goal of aiding Arab terrorists who attempt to murder Hebron Jewish residents and support the aim of expelling Jews entirely from the city. As stated above, Hebron's Jewish community does its utmost to ignore these people, despite the trouble they cause the community, action which, at times, borders on clear incitement against Hebron's Jewish residents as well as Israeli security forces in the area. The fact that during such a huge Sabbath celebration, ISM members saw fit to continue public protest, utilizing instruments as cameras on the Sabbath, and photographing people against their will on the Sabbath, is a tremendous provocation. Again, unnecessary violence cannot be justified, but neither can overt public provocation against such a large gathering. Had they refrained from demonstrating, the attack would not have occurred.

8. In conclusion, the Jewish community of Hebron would suggest to the Swedish Foreign Ministry that in order to avoid any other unpleasant incidents in Hebron, that all Swedish citizens, including members of TIPH and others, such as Ms. Johansson, be requested to stop their politically provocative anti-Jewish activities, leave Hebron immediately and stop interfering in internal Israeli affairs.

Sincerely,

David WilderNoam Arnon Hebron Community Council Members Spokesmen The Jewish Community of Hebron

The holidays are over, the rain and cold are starting to move in. Hebron tours continue, but that's nothing new. So, what time of the year is it?

According to the Hebrew calendar, tomorrow, the ninth day of Heshvan, is a momentous day in the history of Hebron.

Hebron has known many famous residents. Starting with the Patriarchs and Matriarchs, through the days of King David and the Maccabees and Bar Cochva, Hebron's earth has been covered with many prestigious footsteps. Even today, we are honored by the visits of famous Torah scholars and Rabbis, illustrious guests and entertainers. And perhaps above all, hundreds of thousands of 'amcha beit Yisrael,' simply the people of Israel.

However, the anniversary of one of the most esteemed visitors who ever came to Hebron and visited Ma'arat HaMachpela, the tomb of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs, was exactly 840 years ago tomorrow. He writes, "On the first day of Shabbat (Sunday) the ninth day of the month (of Heshvan) I left Jerusalem for Hebron to kiss the tombs of our Patriarchs at the Ma'ara. And on that same day I stood at the Ma'ara and worshiped, praise to the L-rd, for all. And these two days, the sixth (having arrived in Jerusalem and visited the Kotel – the Western Wall) and the 9th (having arrived in Hebron and prayed at Ma'arat HaMachpela) of Heshvan, I pledged would be as a festival of prayer and joy, with food and drink. G-d should assist me with everything and to keep my pledge, Amen."

These words were written by none other than Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon, better known as the Rambam, or Maimonides, one of the greatest Jewish Torah scholars and thinkers to ever live. There are few people whose teachings have had such a significant influence on the lives of multitudes of Jews throughout the ages as the Rambam. >From his words, it is clear that this visit to Hebron was one of the highlights of his life. One can only imagine this righteous person, standing by the tomb of the first Jew, Avraham Avinu, our father Abraham, beseeching G-d to bring the final redemption, pleading for the ingathering of the exiled, and the rebuilding of Eretz Yisrael and Jerusalem. So it was, in 1166, And it is something of a day of quiet celebration still, in Hebron.

I guess you could say the Rambam was lucky. He had the privilege to be in Hebron (before Ma'arat HaMachpela was declared off-limits in 1267) and to pray at the 2nd holiest site in the world, second only to TempleMount, which he had visited only a few days earlier. And thank G-d, hundreds of thousands of others make their way to Hebron today, many for the same reasons that Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon came, eight hundred and forty years ago. To pray at the Tomb of the Patriarchs, to identify with their roots, to experience such an experience that can only be experienced in Hebron.

When people ask me why we live here, why reside in Hebron, a city seemingly fraught with dangers, surrounded by adversity, the answer is simple. If we didn't live in Hebron, no one today would be able to do what the Rambam did eight centuries ago. The Maara was off-limits to us for 700 years – from 1267 until our return in 1967. There is no doubt, as our 'neighbors' tell us, that should they control this sacred site, (G-d forbid), it would be totally inaccessible to all non-Moslems. We have to hold tight to our heritage to prevent it from being 'stolen' by enemies, some of who desire to wipe us out physically and others, spiritually.

Many, Jews and gentiles, even those who don't make it for a visit in Hebron, find strength and encouragement in the very fact that Jews have returned home – to our home in Eretz Yisrael, to Jerusalem, to Hebron. The fact that Jews can send prayers directly to the Cave of Machpela, that they can see pictures and movies of our holy sites, the fact that Jews are living on their land, is, in and of itself, a source of pride and of spiritual energy.

It is important to know that those of us living here are, do so, not because we are coerced to do so, rather, because we want to be here, to live in the shadows of our ancestors, to walk in footsteps of our Forefathers, to bring a Jewish city, left in ruins, back to life.

One of the people who has had the privilege to not only live here in Hebron, but to bring Hebron into the lives of thousands, is my friend Simcha Hochbaum. Simcha and his wife Lea made aliyah, that is, they came to live in Israel, about eleven years ago from the Lower East Side in Manhattan, New York. Simcha was 'shul rebbi' – a student of R' Shlomo Carlebach, of blessed memory, and a Rabbi in his own right.

Simcha and Lea didn't leave New York for Tel Aviv or even Jerusalem. They came straight to Hebron. There aren't too many people who have done that. Today, with their beautiful family, they are one the pillars upon which Hebron rests.

Simcha has two jobs. Every night be drives from Hebron to Beit Shemesh to teach at the distinguished Yeshiva founded and headed by Rabbi Jay Marcus, Reishit Yerushalayim. Simcha is one of the most popular teachers at this Torah institute, and invests much time and energy with his young students, many of whom remain close to him for years following conclusion of their studies at the Yeshiva.

However, during the day Simcha takes off his Rabbi hat, and puts on a Hebron cap. He is known as Mr. Hebron – the person who introduces hundreds and thousands to Hebron's sites and sounds. As Hebron's director of tourism, Simcha leads groups from Jerusalem to the ancient walls in Tel Rumeida, to the Beit Hadassah museum, to the Avraham Avinu synagogue, (which is about 50 meters from his own home), and finally to Ma'arat HaMachpela.

Simcha's tours aren't just tours – they are an event – a spiritual event second to none. That fact that many people 'come back for more,' returning year after year to again experience another 'Simcha tour' speaks for itself.

Next week, Simcha Hochbaum will the recipient of the Rabbinic Leadership Award at the Hebron Fund/Jewish Community of Hebron annual banquet in New York. He is well deserving of this honor. Because even when he isn't wearing his 'Rabbi Hat' he is doing what he does best – educating. Teaching Jews and gentiles about one of the holiest places on the globe.

Simcha would be honored to have you join him, honoring Hebron, honoring others who too have dedicated themselves to helping Am Yisrael get back on its feet in Eretz Yisrael, in Hebron, after 2,000 years of 'being away from home.'

I too will be in New York, together with my friends and colleagues, Noam Arnon and Rabbi Hillel Horowitz. And of course, Yossi Baumol, executive director of the Hebron Fund will be there to greet you also.

For those of you who have been in Hebron, this is a chance to again participate in keeping Hebron's thriving Jewish community strong, showing not only us, but people around the world how important Hebron is to you.

For those of you who have never been in Hebron, well, I guess I could say Hebron is coming to you. We'd love to meet you and let you meet us.

You can still make reservations easily at: www.hebronfund.com or call 1-718-677-6886. If you don't live in the NY metropolitan area you can still show that you care: Dinner Journal Blessings can be sent in via the Hebronfund website or the above-listed phone number. The journal is closing tomorrow so don't wait too long. Send in your blessings, thanks and best wishes to Simcha Hochbaum and the entire Hebron Jewish community. Show that you too care.

About Me

David Wilder began working with the Jewish Community
of Hebron in 1994. He served as the English spokesman for the community for 21
years, granting newspaper, television and radio interviews internationally. He has
written hundreds of columns, posted on internet and appearing on websites and
in newspapers around the world. He
published a booklet of questions and answers about Hebron, titled, “Breaking the Lies.” Additionally he has acted in the capacity of community photographer
for over 17 years. He has published several ebooks of his photographs and
articles, available on Amazon. His blogs on the Jerusalem Post and at IsraelNational News have been read by over a half a million people.

Presently executive director of Eretz.Org, David represents
and assists several organizations, including the Neve Avraham ChildrenTreatment Center in Kiryat Arba-Hebron. He continues to conduct tours of
Hebron's Jewish Community and speaks to numerous groups in Hebron. He occasionally
travels abroad, speaking at various functions, explaining the true realities of
today's Israeli-Arab He is also a popular lecturer in Hebron, dealing with
diverse groups, including interfaith delegations, from around the world.

David Wilder has been in Israel for 40 years. He is
married to Ora, a ‘Sabra,’ for 36 years. They lived in Kiryat Arba for 17 years
and have resided at Beit Hadassah in Hebron for seventeen years. They have
seven children, five of whom are married and have many grandchildren.